Caramel Pecan Turtle Bark. The ultimate indulgence. This tastes like the very best caramel pecan turtle from a chocolate shop but it is healthier, cheaper, and so easy to make at home. This easy recipe is low carb, keto, gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free, and Trim Healthy Mama friendly.
One of my favorite things around Christmas is the popular cracker toffee made with saltine crackers.
You lay the crackers on a baking sheet, microwave butter and brown sugar (and vanilla, maybe?) and pour it on top of the crackers. Bake for a bit, sprinkle chocolate chips on top, spread the melted chocolate, cool, and eat the whole tray. Did I say that? Not the best option for any diet.
This Caramel Pecan Turtle Bark reminds me of that holiday treat. I'm thrilled to have a suitable alternative when the Christmas cookie and candy trays start appearing.
Can I sub in other nuts?
Yup! Go ahead and use whichever nuts you prefer.
The same goes for chocolate. You can use any sugar-free chocolate or even sugar-free white chocolate.
Expert Tip: Make sure to use coarse salt. It gives these a bit of crunch!
What should the caramel look like?
This recipe is easy to make but you have to make sure you cook the caramel long enough. It should be a deep golden color, coat the back of the spoon, and smell fragrant. I let it go until it is close to turning. When I'm standing at the stove stirring like crazy and there are a few darkened bits forming at the bottom of the pan I know it's done.
The caramel in the photo above still needs to cook a bit longer. It is done when it is deep brown and very fragrant. I've also noticed that when it's done it will also stop bubbling up when stirred. Don't rely on that to tell when it has cooked enough though. The color is much more reliable.
If you do not cook the caramel long enough it will not set in the fridge.
Melted Chocolate
I go ahead and melt the chocolate over VERY LOW heat in the same pan the caramel was in. As long as you stay there and stir and use the lowest heat possible your chocolate chips will melt nicely without burning.
My pieces are a bit big. They are fine if you just want one piece for dessert. Next time I'm going to cut them smaller so I can have several. I'm one of those people who prefers three little cookies to one huge cookie.
I hope you enjoy this Caramel Pecan Turtle Bark!
Make sure to these low carb candies next:
Homemade Peppermint Patties Recipe
Sugar Free Marshmallows with Toasted Coconut
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Ingredients
- 1 cup Trim Healthy Mama Gentle Sweet or my sweetener
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup salted butter
- 3 cups pecans toasted
- 8 oz sugar-free chocolate chips
- ½ tsp coarse salt
Instructions
- Combine the sweetener, cream, and butter in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium, stirring frequently, until deep golden brown and thickened. Depending on the heat of your stovetop this can take 10-15 minutes. Watch it carefully.
- Spread the pecans on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle the caramel over the pecans.
- Put the chocolate chips in the saucepan. You do not need to wash it first. Put it back on the stove over very low heat. The lowest your stovetop goes. Stir until the chocolate chips have melted. Drizzle on top of the caramel and pecans. Spread gently.
- Sprinkle with the coarse salt. Refrigerate until the chocolate has hardened.
- Cut the Caramel Pecan Turtle Bark into small squares. The caramel side will be gooey. Turn one upside down and with another square so the caramel is in the center. Serve immediately or store in the fridge. The caramel will firm up into more of a toffee consistency with refrigeration.
